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The Lakers star knew his incredible streak of putting up 10+ points was in danger. In that crucial moment, though, it didn't concern him.

The right decision involved passing the basketball – so he did. Consequently, the legendary streak was over.

James's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points was snapped this past Thursday, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 triumph versus Toronto. He made the clutch helper, setting up teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Zero,” James replied when asked regarding the conclusion of his run. “The important thing is we won.”

A Selfless Choice Secures the Game

LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the game – and preserved his record – on the final possession, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate in the left corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

You have to play the game the proper way. Always make the correct play,” James explained. That has always been my M.O.. That is the way I was instructed to play. I’ve done that my whole career.”

James is acutely aware of how many points he's scored during a game,” commented the team's head coach the coach. He made the play as he has done so many times.”

The Streak's Final Moments

James re-entered the contest for the final time at just over five minutes left, the result and the streak on the line. At that stage, he had a mere six points from 3-of-15 shooting at that juncture.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have taken him to double digits.

He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. Austin Reaves found him in the waning seconds, but James decided to make the extra pass instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the right way, they tend to bless you,” Redick stated.

Reflecting on an Unparalleled Run

James's streak began on Jan. 6, 2007. It stood as the longest streak of its kind in NBA history: Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787, and Karl Malone had the fourth-longest run with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” said Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing the sport. He had the opportunity but because of his nature as a player and just who he is as an individual, he made the pass, dished to Hachimura and we won the game.”

Getting to ten points had typically been a formality long before the final period. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures by the beginning of the final quarter 1,266 times coming into the contest.

However, two such single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

LeBron was able to keep the streak alive in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it was over – yet he was celebrating regardless.

“I always just make the correct play. That is instinctive, regardless of outcome,” James said. When you make the right play, the game gods are always giving back to me.”